I would have never imagined that a visit to a convalescent home would create a great impact in my life. Until I visited one for the first time. It began when I enrolled in a health occupations class during high school . I expected it to be like any other class in which we listen to lectures all period. Taking this class would be a life changing experience. After learning vital signs, we were able to go to clinical sites, one was a convalescent home.

I had always felt compassionate toward the elderly, but I had never seen what they go through until I visited them in a convalescent home. I never imagined there were people who needed my help that much. That changed once I entered the convalescent home.

When I entered, there was a sea of sad, fatigued faces. The worn out hands of once hardworking people stretched out towards me. A simple handshake from me was capable of making them smile. They needed a friend, someone to talk to and someone to listen to them. Every time I talked to them I would cry, because they never wanted me to leave. It broke my heart that some never received a single visit. I am proud to say that I am one of the few students that is willing to help out at a retirement home.

I feel that as if I should be giving back to those who helped raise the generation that is now raising us. I know that like me, there are many other students who like helping out but I enjoy helping the elderly because even though people may not consider them important now, just like me they were once willing to work hard to reach their dreams. Being in a convalescent home shouldn’t mean they should be forgotten. I hope when I am older the future generation is also willing to do something for me.,